The Great Gluten Experiment: Week 2
Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 9:00AM 
Well it's my 2nd week on the gluten-free diet and it's gotten easier. The starch cravings have lessend and don't feel the urge to gobble down rice and noodles like I did at the start.
My stomach is also flatter and my farts don't stink (as much)! So let's get down to it and see what else we can learn from my little gluten-free experiment!
It's Expensive To Eat Gluten-Fee
If you're eating out that is. If you prepare your own food, eating gluten-free isn't any more pricey than eating your normal diet filled with wheat-products. However if you're going to be eating out... ah, then it gets expensive.
I've been reduced to eating chicken / pork chops, salads and chicken rice... without the rice. This is NOT a cheap way to eat. In comparison a meal of wantan mee or char kuey teow will cost me around 5 ringgit. However to eat pork or chicken chops or salads will set me back at least 12 ringgit.
It's Hard To Eat 100% Gluten-Free
It's very hard to be 100% compliant to the gluten-free diet unless you're cooking your own food. Chicken / pork chops may have wheat flour used to batter them. Meat balls may have gluten-based binders. The various sauces used in your meal may have wheat starch thickeners.
Not to mention many snacks you'd wouldn't even give a second though about, contain gluten. Chocolate, ice-cream, sausages... they all contain gluten. I'd say my diet has been around 90% gluten-free so far. Good luck if you have Celiac disease!
No More Digestive Problems... And A Flatter Tummy!
With the elimination of gluten from the diet (note: not carbs, as I still take vegetables and fruits), my digestion has improved. No more heavy feelings in the stomach after meals that lasts for hours. Flatulence has also decreased (read: I don't fart as much). The stomach is flatter due to that. No, not due to fat loss but since your digestive system is more efficient and there's less gas... there's also less bloating.
The title is also nice way of saying that I have nice, firm, solid shits. Improved digestion = improved stuff coming out of the other end. A diet that's rich in whole, natural foods helps in clearing up digestion? No way!
To Be Continued
Well, that's 14 days down and it's getting easier. I'll have to say, the first 7 days were tough although I'll have to say that it was mostly mental. You have to deal with all the starch cravings! Eventually though, they go away.
Join me again next week, as I continue my 30-day gluten free journey!
Health 
Reader Comments (4)
I think we're a small minority but any weight loss on your side on this?
Well, yes! But we're not going to be revealing any numbers till the end of the month,
hie!
i just discovered this. and the tim ferriss article on being gluten-free for 30 days.
i would LOVE to try it out but it almost seems impossible! Nothing is impossible but yea, i have my doubts. First off, is it really healthy to chow down just meat, vege and fruits every single day?
and wait, did you really say no chocolates and ice cream??? how on earth am i going to do that? i wouldnt mind trying to be 90% gluten-free, but in his article, it says nothing but 100% compliance would do. Does that mean we wouldnt see a difference if we manage say, an 80% cut?
and the third thing is, i live with my parents! i dont cook! i come home late from work! i have no idea what cooking is about! how am i going to come home each day, look for gluten-free stuff in the kitchen, and cook it on top of it?? :(
but like you mentioned, eating out gluten-free is super expensive.
any idea you guys, or at least some motivation??
Hi Ash, thanks for dropping by our blog!
You have to ask yourself, why do you want to try eating gluten free? Some people have no choice as they are gluten intolerant.
Just remember you may or may not lose weight on this diet but it is NOT for weight loss. Eating gluten free is just healthier for most people.
1) Is it healthy? It is very healthy since you're eating fruits and vegetables as well as meat. In fact by cutting out most processed foods, this is a very healthy diet indeed.
2) Chocolates and ice-cream? Well... truthfully you don't have to cut out the chocs and ice-cream. Did you know there are gluten free versions of those foods? Pricey, yes but also available in stores.
3) 100% compliance? If you're suffering from celiac disease then yes, you'd really need 100% compliance. If not it's my opinion that 90% or so is good enough. But it has to be a real 90%. Maintain a log of the food you eat so you know if you're really hitting 90% or if you're just fooling yourself.
4) Expensive? As we mentioned in the articles: Yes, if you're eating out at shops and stalls all the time. No, if you bring food from home. Fruits and vegetables are fairly cheap and they can be quite filling too.
5) The most basic cooking for gluten free food is quite simple. Steam your vegetables and grill your meats. Fruits, of course, you just eat raw. If your parents can help out you can just ask them to grill or fry chicken / beef / fish / mutton / pork / other meats for you for meals. Just make sure they aren't breaded (i.e. no crispy skin like KFC ok?).
Hope that helps!